CPG Brand Builders Often Fail Before Finding Out What They Need to Succeed

If enough people misspell a search word, Google will make the misspelling “valid” and direct them to the correctly spelled search word. If enough people ask for courses in an area that they think they need, the market will be flooded with how-to courses on that subject – even if it’s premature, overly simplistic, or down right detrimental to their ultimate goals.

Generally, folks requesting such a course need a more comprehensive understanding of their strategy before they choose a tactic. It’s like seeing a chess game, wanting to play, and thinking, “If I could just understand how the pieces move, I could win.” Then they pay good money to learn how the pieces move. Then they get checkmated time after time because they have not prepared for the strategy and nuances of the game

If you are new and inexperienced at brand building in retail, do you really know enough to ask the right questions, seek the right education, and get the big picture that could save you tons of time and money? Or are you asking for what you think you need with your limited experience?

Most business fail because they expand faster than they can service what they sell.

Go no further than the brand builder who has actually tried to gain distribution in the marketplace and got shut out, or as we say, “run into the distribution wall.” Just like the chess player who can move the pieces but can’t sustain or win the game, this brand builder believed when he got into the market that he knew all he needs to know.

New CPG brand builders should be cautious about what they ask for. It may be too simplistic. It may be too inexperienced. It may actually get you in trouble. Remember, you can’t be discontinued permanently from a large chain or box store or until you are in that store. It is then that the issue of staying in and growing suddenly makes “just getting in” pale by comparison. It is then that the true cost of sales makes itself known.

The wise brand builder looks to folks who have gone from product ideation and creation, to seeing their brand acquired. For anyone to achieve this, they had to not be discontinued, which means they got their product on the shelf and they kept it on the shelf. It means they knew how to finance expansion, and oversee both distribution and retail. And if they got paid for their idea through an acquisition, it was because they grew large enough to become an acquisition target.

We like to say, “If you want to get paid for your idea, wrap your idea in a product, wrap your product in a business, wrap your business in a brand, and build your brand ‘til you become an acquisition target. Then your acquirer will pay you for your brand equity.” So, the strategy is not simply getting into a chain. That is merely the first step, the entrance into the game. Now you must play, and win!

By understanding your long-term strategy first and understanding the financial requirements of growth, you can apply the winning strategies and avoid hitting the “distribution wall.” Check out www.shelfsmarts.com and get the big picture first.

So, when we hear, “I have a great idea! I need to get in Walmart or Costco!” we just roll our eyes. We know they need a whole lot more than that. Hopefully they will learn the required strategies before they set foot in those stores!

Good luck and good selling!

Who Are We.

Having built and sold a bestselling national brand, we appreciate the value of brands and everything it takes to make them successful. Companies are valued by their brand equity. Achieving and maximizing brand equity requires tremendous respect for all your customers, from your wholesaler to your end user.

Starting in our laundry room with no money and no knowledge of the industry, we built the famous Barefoot Wine brand. We learned a lot they don’t teach in school and much of it the hard way. Although our success was in consumer products, our real world experience will be helpful to anyone looking for information and advice about brands.

We have written the New York Times Bestselling Business Book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand, which chronicles the history of the famous brand from its inception through its acquisition. Our book is now required reading in schools of entrepreneurship across the country. We hope this book will provide inspiration and encouragement for all those contemplating starting a brand or wanting to improve their existing brand.